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Monday, November 28, 2016

World rights NGO urges end to Zunar’s 'harassment'

Published Today 9:20 am
Updated Today 9:30 am

International and local human rights organisations have slammed what
they call the continued harassment of cartoonist Zunar, who was arrested
during an exhibition in Penang last Saturday.

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member
organisation Suaram called on the government to "immediately end the
harassment of renowned cartoonist Zunar and drop all charges against
him".

“The arbitrary arrest of Zunar is the latest deplorable act of
harassment by a government that is intolerant of any form of peaceful
dissent.

"Zunar should never again be harassed or deprived of his liberty for
exercising his basic right to freedom of expression,” said FIDH
president Dimitris Christopoulos in a statement today.

The cartoonist, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, was
detained under the Sedition Act, for allegedly insulting Prime Minister
Najib Abdul Razak.

He was released on bail yesterday evening, after the courts denied the police's request for four days remand and gave only one day.

Yesterday, anti-Sedition Act group Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH)
reminded the government that Section 3(1)(c) of the Act, which had
considered criticism against government as an act of sedition, was removed in the amendments passed on April 10, 2015, and gazetted on June 4 last year.

Prior to his arrest, a group led by Penang Umno Youth chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim disrupted Zunar's exhibition and damaged his artworks.

However, Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has denied
the party is responsible for this and a spate of other attacks against
critics of the ruling party, and no action has yet been taken by the
party on any of its members.

Right to criticise

Suaram reminded the authorities Zunar's political cartoons have earned him worldwide recognition and respect.

“Zunar has every right to display the cartoons that have earned him
numerous international honours without hindrance by the authorities or
pro-government elements.

"Authorities must respect Zunar’s fundamental rights to freedom of
expression and freedom of movement and investigate those responsible for
the recent mob attack against him,” said Suaram executive director
Sevan Doraisamy.

"The events (over the weekend) are the latest in a series of acts of judicial harassment targeting Zunar," added the two NGOs.Zunar's arrest follows a series of actions including a travel ban and numerous sedition charges against him over the past years.

It also coincides with a crackdown on critics and opposition
politicians following the peaceful Bersih 5 rally calling for electoral,
democratic and government reforms.

PKR's newly-appointed secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah, PKR
Penanti assemblyperson Norlela Ariffin and DAP Sekinchan assemblyperson
Ng Suee Lim are the latest to be called in to the police station today over Bersih 5.

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